Hot Pot Walk 2nd February 2013
Chris Hughes organised an excellent walk, starting at Disley Station on a bright day with a chill breeze. 20 trekked through Lyme Park up past the Cage and round the back of Lyme Hall up the ascent to the east of the Lantern Tower.
After a pause for breath the descent took us down to the drive to the Moorside Hotel then up round the shoulder overlooking the Dipping Stone and Whaley Bridge.
The next descent led across the fields and down by Ringstones Caravan park to Furness Vale, across the level crossing and down the valley to join the path by the River Goyt.
Here the wild life was teeming – many varieties of hens & cocks, a donkey and 3 Llamas.
A first for me was the lovely area of the Torrs, the former industrial mill area with the newish Archimedes screw. The sun was just setting so the pink and turquoise sky beyond the viaduct looked wonderful.
We joined the canal at the top of New Mills and walked along till the first stone bridge where we crossed and walked in the dark up to the A6 and hence to the White Lion Pub with it’s quirky Zebra Pub Sign. More SWOGGERS joined us, so about 32 had the Hot Pot and well deserved drinks.
Denise.
Showing posts with label Saturday walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saturday walk. Show all posts
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
20th October 2012 Canal Walk Leeds to Bingley
Canal walk Saturday 20 October Leeds to Bingley
We had our usual gang of four for our canal
walk. We proceeded from Stalybridge to Leeds by train.
It was a glorious autumnal morning. The
canal runs adjacent to Leeds station and as with so many city centre waterways, has
been much improved over recent years with new bars, restaurants, office and
residential development.
However, we soon left all of this behind as
we strode out in a north westerly
direction. The canal immediately takes on a rural complexion, with tall
trees and verdant vegetation on all sides. The wide
canal and well maintained towpath meant
that this was as pleasant a stretch of canal walking as one could wish to
encounter.
We stopped at a bench by a staircase of
locks for some refreshments with various chocolate treats provided by the
girls.
We walked on quickly covering the miles and
had nearly reached our final destination at Bingley when we stopped for refreshments
at Saltaire. This is a Victorian model village built by the philanthropist Sir
Titus Salt to house the workers for his adjacent mill complex. Ironically we
enjoyed a beer at the pub overlooking the river; this is a relatively recent
addition as Salt was strictly temperance in order to protect his workers from
the evils of drink. We had an enjoyable stroll around the village which is now
a World Heritage Site.
It wasn’t much further to Bingley where we
finished at the famous ‘five rise’ staircase of locks; constructed in 1774 and
one of the ‘seven wonders of the waterways’. We had time for a welcome drink in
Timothy Taylor’s ‘Brown Cow’ before catching the train back home.
We all agreed that this was one of our most
enjoyable walks. For our the next stage
we will carry on from Bingley to Skipton early in 2013; details to follow.
John H
Saturday, 16 June 2012
Gritstone Trail 16th June
Gritstone Trail
Last year seven members of the group walked part of the Gritstone Trail from Rushton Spencer to Disley, this year was to complete the trail from Rushton Spencer to Kidsgrove. The forecast for the walk was not good, in fact it was so bad that Noah was considering getting the arc out again. However, when the day arrived it was dull but not raining and so Tracy, Helen, Pam and I set off on the trail.
The walk was gentle enough to start with going through Raven's Clough when we were approach by a man from National Grid who informed us that the path was closed due to work on the overhead electrical cables and had we not seen the sign regarding the closure of the path. The only sign we had come across was a metal one that was face down and proved to be very useful in getting over a very muddy stretch of the path. This was the National Grid sign, fortunately they were not working that day so there was no danger of being the first members of SWOG to be electrocuted on a walk. We then headed for the first climb of the day up The Cloud after which we descended to the Timbersbrook Picnic Area for elevenses, and still no rain.
We then walked along part of the Biddulph Valley Way (this section was a disused railway) after we which we had lunch on the charmingly named Nick i'th' Hill when our luck ran out and it started to rain. The rain continued on our ascent of Mow Cop. We passed The Old Man of Mow a gritstone pillar over 20 metres high, left standing as the stone around it was quarried away. Stone from here was used to build the school and church at Sandbach. The folly of Mow Cop is another distinctive landmark, perched dramatically on an outcrop of millstone grit. It was built in 1754 by Squire Wilbraham to improve the view from his home Rode Hall.
As we descended to to the Macclesfield Canal, the weather was more shower like than torrential rain and just before we got to the towpath we went in the excellent Rising Sun at Scholar Green, dispensing the full range of Marston's beers. After a leisurely pint we walked the last few miles on the Macclesfield and Trent & Mersey canals to finish the walk at Kidsgrove Station. As the pubs in Kidsgrove did not look that inviting (According to Paul! said us!) we got the train to Macclesfield and had our evening meal and more beer in the Society Rooms the Weatherspoons pub in Macclesfield.
For such a bad weather forecast the conditions were not that bad and certainly for Tracy, Pam and I, it was good to have completed the full walk of the Gritstone Trail.
Paul
More Photos HERE
Last year seven members of the group walked part of the Gritstone Trail from Rushton Spencer to Disley, this year was to complete the trail from Rushton Spencer to Kidsgrove. The forecast for the walk was not good, in fact it was so bad that Noah was considering getting the arc out again. However, when the day arrived it was dull but not raining and so Tracy, Helen, Pam and I set off on the trail.
The walk was gentle enough to start with going through Raven's Clough when we were approach by a man from National Grid who informed us that the path was closed due to work on the overhead electrical cables and had we not seen the sign regarding the closure of the path. The only sign we had come across was a metal one that was face down and proved to be very useful in getting over a very muddy stretch of the path. This was the National Grid sign, fortunately they were not working that day so there was no danger of being the first members of SWOG to be electrocuted on a walk. We then headed for the first climb of the day up The Cloud after which we descended to the Timbersbrook Picnic Area for elevenses, and still no rain.
We then walked along part of the Biddulph Valley Way (this section was a disused railway) after we which we had lunch on the charmingly named Nick i'th' Hill when our luck ran out and it started to rain. The rain continued on our ascent of Mow Cop. We passed The Old Man of Mow a gritstone pillar over 20 metres high, left standing as the stone around it was quarried away. Stone from here was used to build the school and church at Sandbach. The folly of Mow Cop is another distinctive landmark, perched dramatically on an outcrop of millstone grit. It was built in 1754 by Squire Wilbraham to improve the view from his home Rode Hall.
As we descended to to the Macclesfield Canal, the weather was more shower like than torrential rain and just before we got to the towpath we went in the excellent Rising Sun at Scholar Green, dispensing the full range of Marston's beers. After a leisurely pint we walked the last few miles on the Macclesfield and Trent & Mersey canals to finish the walk at Kidsgrove Station. As the pubs in Kidsgrove did not look that inviting (According to Paul! said us!) we got the train to Macclesfield and had our evening meal and more beer in the Society Rooms the Weatherspoons pub in Macclesfield.
For such a bad weather forecast the conditions were not that bad and certainly for Tracy, Pam and I, it was good to have completed the full walk of the Gritstone Trail.
Paul
More Photos HERE
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Todmorden to Manchester Canal Walk 19th May
Canal walk Saturday 19 May Todmorden to
Manchester
It was a gloomy morning as we met up at Victoria station. We were delighted that our usual gang of four was augmented by Jackie and Declan. To our amazement we later learned that Jackie was Declan’s gran; Jackie didn’t look old enough to be anyone’s gran; honest !
We alighted from the train at Todmorden and started by a look around the market; declared as ‘disappointing’ by a knowing Sue; none of the stalls seemed to have very much of anything to sell.
We set off soon passing a milepost that read ‘Manchester 22 miles’; deep breaths all around ! The first section was the most scenic as the hills crowded in on the summit pound between Todmorden and Littleborough.
It was then downhill all the way; we nearly lost Tracy and Linda at our lunch stop; the girls stopping at the ‘Sandbrook’ rather than ‘The Blue Pits’; well it sounds similar said Linda; and it’s on the canal. It actually turned out to be a good stop as we forsook the carvery and ate our sarnies in the outside area.
We proceeded through Castleton to Chadderton and the well appointed ‘Rose of Lancaster’; most of our party returned by train to Manchester from this point; but myself and Tracy continued on the final seven miles to Piccadily basin thereby completing the ‘South Pennine Canal Ring’. Now it’s off to the ‘Liverpool to Leeds Canal’ and the Peoples Republic of Wigan for the next walk.
John H
More Photos HERE
It was a gloomy morning as we met up at Victoria station. We were delighted that our usual gang of four was augmented by Jackie and Declan. To our amazement we later learned that Jackie was Declan’s gran; Jackie didn’t look old enough to be anyone’s gran; honest !
We alighted from the train at Todmorden and started by a look around the market; declared as ‘disappointing’ by a knowing Sue; none of the stalls seemed to have very much of anything to sell.
We set off soon passing a milepost that read ‘Manchester 22 miles’; deep breaths all around ! The first section was the most scenic as the hills crowded in on the summit pound between Todmorden and Littleborough.
It was then downhill all the way; we nearly lost Tracy and Linda at our lunch stop; the girls stopping at the ‘Sandbrook’ rather than ‘The Blue Pits’; well it sounds similar said Linda; and it’s on the canal. It actually turned out to be a good stop as we forsook the carvery and ate our sarnies in the outside area.
We proceeded through Castleton to Chadderton and the well appointed ‘Rose of Lancaster’; most of our party returned by train to Manchester from this point; but myself and Tracy continued on the final seven miles to Piccadily basin thereby completing the ‘South Pennine Canal Ring’. Now it’s off to the ‘Liverpool to Leeds Canal’ and the Peoples Republic of Wigan for the next walk.
John H
More Photos HERE
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Canal walk March 18
Canal walk March 18
The usual gang of four, Sue, Linda, Tracy and myself, met up at Marsden station for the latest leg of our canal walk on the South Pennine ring. The weather was bright but cool; ideal for walking. We set off along the Huddersfield Narrow canal through Slaithwaite (I’m still struggling to pronounce the name correctly) and on to Huddersfield.
The Huddersfield Narrow canal is one of the wonders of the modern waterways; the canal was abandoned in the 1960s and built over in many places; restoration was considered ‘impossible’. However, thanks to various funding and herculean voluntary efforts, the canal was restored in the early years of the millennium. However, in parts of Huddersfield the canal runs in tunnels and we had to take to the streets to reach Aspley basin at the junction with the Huddersfield Broad canal.
We had lunch at the well appointed pub at the marina before continuing towards Brighouse alongside acres of playing fields which were busy with various footie matches, including an all women’s game, the blues had just scored, hooray!
At Coopers Bridge, we joined the Calder & Hebble Navigation and walked on through pleasant countryside to Brighouse. We decided to reward ourselves with a well earned beer; unfortunately my recollections of the whereabouts of the local Wetherspoons proved unreliable and we proceeded off in completely the wrong direction. We did eventually find our way to the pub, a converted chapel, decked out as if for a wedding, and doing a good trade.
We caught the bus back to Huddersfield and thence by train home.
This was a pleasant walk in good company and favourable weather through varied and interesting countryside. And thanks to Sue for the Xmas cake, very yummy if not exactly seasonal.
John H
More Photos HERE
The usual gang of four, Sue, Linda, Tracy and myself, met up at Marsden station for the latest leg of our canal walk on the South Pennine ring. The weather was bright but cool; ideal for walking. We set off along the Huddersfield Narrow canal through Slaithwaite (I’m still struggling to pronounce the name correctly) and on to Huddersfield.
The Huddersfield Narrow canal is one of the wonders of the modern waterways; the canal was abandoned in the 1960s and built over in many places; restoration was considered ‘impossible’. However, thanks to various funding and herculean voluntary efforts, the canal was restored in the early years of the millennium. However, in parts of Huddersfield the canal runs in tunnels and we had to take to the streets to reach Aspley basin at the junction with the Huddersfield Broad canal.
We had lunch at the well appointed pub at the marina before continuing towards Brighouse alongside acres of playing fields which were busy with various footie matches, including an all women’s game, the blues had just scored, hooray!
At Coopers Bridge, we joined the Calder & Hebble Navigation and walked on through pleasant countryside to Brighouse. We decided to reward ourselves with a well earned beer; unfortunately my recollections of the whereabouts of the local Wetherspoons proved unreliable and we proceeded off in completely the wrong direction. We did eventually find our way to the pub, a converted chapel, decked out as if for a wedding, and doing a good trade.
We caught the bus back to Huddersfield and thence by train home.
This was a pleasant walk in good company and favourable weather through varied and interesting countryside. And thanks to Sue for the Xmas cake, very yummy if not exactly seasonal.
John H
More Photos HERE
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Gritstone Trail 10 September
Gritstone Trail
Seven hardy souls completed the Gritstone Trail from Rushton Spencer to Disley a distance of 22 miles (not the 19 miles given on the sign to Lyme Park as we had to walk from the bus stop to the start of the Trail and from Lyme Park back to Disley). It was an early start for everyone to get to Stockport to get the train to Macclesfield, then to get the bus to Rushton Spencer to get there for 9.30am.
The official photographer turned up to take the group picture before we all set off through the Shell Brook valley to the first major climb of the walk to Croker Hill with the distinctive telecommunications tower on the top known as Wincle Lighthouse. It was rather windy on top but at least it was dry. Because of the distance to be covered we had to keep up a good pace and we had lunch at Tegg's Nose Reservoir before the next steep climb to the visitors centre at Tegg's Nose. I had not been there for many years and the whole group were disappointed to find the cafe had closed.
We then descended to Rainow for yet another disappointment the pub which was nearest the trail had also closed so we had to slog up White Nancy without the benefit of a pint which made it even harder. We were now on the home straight and after a few miles came to the last climb of the day Sponds Hill, it just started to drizzle a little but did not last long as we had glorious sunshine as we approached Bow Stones and Lyme Park.
The official photographer turned up at Lyme Park for another photo call and we then all made our way to Disley, and this time the White Horse was open and my prediction was right I had told the pub we would be arriving at 7.30pm which we did on the dot.
Next year we will complete the Gritstone Trail by doing the section from Rushton Spencer to Kidsgrove.
Paul
Click here for photos of the walk.
Seven hardy souls completed the Gritstone Trail from Rushton Spencer to Disley a distance of 22 miles (not the 19 miles given on the sign to Lyme Park as we had to walk from the bus stop to the start of the Trail and from Lyme Park back to Disley). It was an early start for everyone to get to Stockport to get the train to Macclesfield, then to get the bus to Rushton Spencer to get there for 9.30am.
The official photographer turned up to take the group picture before we all set off through the Shell Brook valley to the first major climb of the walk to Croker Hill with the distinctive telecommunications tower on the top known as Wincle Lighthouse. It was rather windy on top but at least it was dry. Because of the distance to be covered we had to keep up a good pace and we had lunch at Tegg's Nose Reservoir before the next steep climb to the visitors centre at Tegg's Nose. I had not been there for many years and the whole group were disappointed to find the cafe had closed.
We then descended to Rainow for yet another disappointment the pub which was nearest the trail had also closed so we had to slog up White Nancy without the benefit of a pint which made it even harder. We were now on the home straight and after a few miles came to the last climb of the day Sponds Hill, it just started to drizzle a little but did not last long as we had glorious sunshine as we approached Bow Stones and Lyme Park.
The official photographer turned up at Lyme Park for another photo call and we then all made our way to Disley, and this time the White Horse was open and my prediction was right I had told the pub we would be arriving at 7.30pm which we did on the dot.
Next year we will complete the Gritstone Trail by doing the section from Rushton Spencer to Kidsgrove.
Paul
Click here for photos of the walk.
South Pennine Ring canal walk Ashton to Marsden : 11 September
South Pennine Ring canal walk Ashton to Marsden : 11 September
It was a blustery start to the day as I set off along the Peak Forest canal; but fortunately the forecast rain had not materialized. At Portland basin I was greeted by the sight of Tracy, Sue, Linda and Kevin waiting on the bridge over the canal – as pretty as a picture.
We set off along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal but soon had to follow a towpath diversion through Asda’s car park; the store had rather inconveniently been built on the course of the canal whilst the canal was disused.
We proceeded past numerous locks as the canal moved upwards towards the summit.
At Uppermill we stopped at the canal side tea shop and partook of delightful homemade ice cream and scones.
Fortified by this various of us decided to try out the obstacle course in the adjacent park. Unfortunately my camera jammed just as Sue and Linda were scrambling over the raised netting and for some reason they were reluctant to go back and repeat the feat.
We duly came to the entrance to Standedge Tunnel (the longest, highest, deepest, etc canal tunnel). We carried on up and up over the moorland and down into Yorkshire. Amazingly on the way over we encountered a boat horse being led over the top of the tunnel; no doubt hard work for the hardy souls legging the boat through down below.
We strolled along the canal into Mardsen in good time to catch the train back; yes, without the need to run along the towpath to make up lost time.
This completed an enjoyable day out. The next stage is Marsden to Brighouse; why not come along; it’s not too strenuous and you also get to experience the delights of the metropolis of Huddersfield…..
John H
More Photos Here
It was a blustery start to the day as I set off along the Peak Forest canal; but fortunately the forecast rain had not materialized. At Portland basin I was greeted by the sight of Tracy, Sue, Linda and Kevin waiting on the bridge over the canal – as pretty as a picture.
We set off along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal but soon had to follow a towpath diversion through Asda’s car park; the store had rather inconveniently been built on the course of the canal whilst the canal was disused.
We proceeded past numerous locks as the canal moved upwards towards the summit.
At Uppermill we stopped at the canal side tea shop and partook of delightful homemade ice cream and scones.
Fortified by this various of us decided to try out the obstacle course in the adjacent park. Unfortunately my camera jammed just as Sue and Linda were scrambling over the raised netting and for some reason they were reluctant to go back and repeat the feat.
We duly came to the entrance to Standedge Tunnel (the longest, highest, deepest, etc canal tunnel). We carried on up and up over the moorland and down into Yorkshire. Amazingly on the way over we encountered a boat horse being led over the top of the tunnel; no doubt hard work for the hardy souls legging the boat through down below.
We strolled along the canal into Mardsen in good time to catch the train back; yes, without the need to run along the towpath to make up lost time.
This completed an enjoyable day out. The next stage is Marsden to Brighouse; why not come along; it’s not too strenuous and you also get to experience the delights of the metropolis of Huddersfield…..
John H
More Photos Here
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Cheshire Ring Canal Walk - Northwich to Warrington
Cheshire Ring Canal Walk - Northwich to Warrington
It was overcast and gloomy as I set off on
Sunday morning. Unfortunately this was as good as it got weather-wise.
Our usual gang of four met up at Stockport station : Linda, Tracy, Sue
and myself. We alighted at Lostock Gralam in a murky drizzle.
We proceeded along the canal to the
Anderton boat lift. We stopped to watch a trip boat descend slowly on
the lift (‘it’s health & safety’ we were told, accounted for the
slow progress). The prospect of tea and cake from the well appointed
café was too much to resist and it was nearly mid-day before we
continued on our way.
It would now take too long to get to the planned pub stop for lunch; so we sought shelter under
a suitable bridge to partake of our victuals. It was mid afternoon by
the time we did make it to the pub above Preston Brook tunnel. We had an
extra round of drinks in the vain hope that the rain would relent; had
we waited for the rain to stop we would certainly still be there now.
We trudged on along the Bridgwater canal
in the gathering murk. Somewhat bedraggled, we finally made it to
Stockton Heath. The bunting had been put out to mark us completing the
Cheshire ring, some one hundred miles; but that was about all that could
be said in its favour.
A visit to the adjacent hostelry failed to
lift Sue’s spirits; Sue was thinking of sunnier climes and wishing that
she had dry feet……
We splashed our way back to Warrington; hoping for better weather on our next canal jaunt.
John H
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Canal Wal March
A
cool and still morning saw an excellent turn out at Marple top lock for
our first Thursday walk of the year; the attendance augmented with the
increasing
numbers of us fifty-somethings with extra leisure time during the day; truly, a sign of the times.
We proceeded along the Peak Forest canal before skirting around the outskirts of
Disley;
crossing the A6 and zig zagging over the railway line. On the approach
to High Lane, Jack decided that it would be a good idea if we proceeded
in smaller groups in order to stagger arrival at the pub; suffice to say
that we did all make it to the pub, eventually.
We
par-took of the good value carvery before continuing back to Marple
along the Macc canal. Linda and myself then stepped out back down the
locks and on to Hyde.
Yours truly jogged on to Guide Bridge and then train to Ashburys and CoMStadium. City won the match but lost the tie, shucks.
Inspite of the footie, it was a brilliant day out and we look forward to further Thursday outings.
John H
Click here for photos of the walk
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Cheshire Ring part 3 27th November
27th Cheshire Ring part 3
Cheshire Ring canal walk, stage 3, Saturday 27 November
Macclesfield to Hyde
For stage 3 of our Cheshire Ring canal walk, in addition to our usual crew of Tracy, Linda, Sue and myself; we were honoured to be joined by Joan and Margaret, a new member. So, with the exception of yours truly, it really was a case of ‘here come the girls’.
We alighted at Macclesfield and started the walk by following the Middlewood trail out of town. Yes, I know that the Middlewood trail follows the course of the old railway line, but it sort of cuts a corner off, if that’s not cheating. Linda set out at an express pace but did eventually slow down a bit, so the rest of us were able to get our breath back.
At Bollington, the aroma of coffee wafting from the Mill shop was too much to resist and we stopped for refreshments. By the time we resumed our walk, the sun had come out; and this made for a lovely day for walking, if on the cold side.
We pushed on to Marple where we were due to rendezvous with Philomena by the locks at lunch time. Unfortunately we never did meet up because Phil had missed her train at Hyde owing to the fact that she had been waiting on the wrong platform; enough said……..
We pushed on to Romiley and did make our next meeting at John Gregory’s. We resisted the temptation to shin over John’s back wall and went the front way. John very kindly plied us with mulled wine, tea and biscuits before we made our way towards Hyde as it was beginning to get dark, including going through Woodley tunnel, the stygian gloom relieved by Tracy’s head torch.
Thanks to all who came along, and hopefully Margaret has not been put off for ever. And yes, a blog from yours truly without a single reference to a hostelry, what is the world coming to ?
Our next leg is planned to cover Hyde to Sale by way of Manchester including going underground at Piccadily, rumoured to be scene of the strangest of goings on, not that I’d know about that….
John H
Macclesfield to Hyde
For stage 3 of our Cheshire Ring canal walk, in addition to our usual crew of Tracy, Linda, Sue and myself; we were honoured to be joined by Joan and Margaret, a new member. So, with the exception of yours truly, it really was a case of ‘here come the girls’.
We alighted at Macclesfield and started the walk by following the Middlewood trail out of town. Yes, I know that the Middlewood trail follows the course of the old railway line, but it sort of cuts a corner off, if that’s not cheating. Linda set out at an express pace but did eventually slow down a bit, so the rest of us were able to get our breath back.
At Bollington, the aroma of coffee wafting from the Mill shop was too much to resist and we stopped for refreshments. By the time we resumed our walk, the sun had come out; and this made for a lovely day for walking, if on the cold side.
We pushed on to Marple where we were due to rendezvous with Philomena by the locks at lunch time. Unfortunately we never did meet up because Phil had missed her train at Hyde owing to the fact that she had been waiting on the wrong platform; enough said……..
We pushed on to Romiley and did make our next meeting at John Gregory’s. We resisted the temptation to shin over John’s back wall and went the front way. John very kindly plied us with mulled wine, tea and biscuits before we made our way towards Hyde as it was beginning to get dark, including going through Woodley tunnel, the stygian gloom relieved by Tracy’s head torch.
Thanks to all who came along, and hopefully Margaret has not been put off for ever. And yes, a blog from yours truly without a single reference to a hostelry, what is the world coming to ?
Our next leg is planned to cover Hyde to Sale by way of Manchester including going underground at Piccadily, rumoured to be scene of the strangest of goings on, not that I’d know about that….
John H
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Cheshire Ring canal walk
09th: Cheshire Ring canal walk
Our hardy crew of Linda, Tracy, Sue and myself met up at Stockport
station on Saturday for the second stage of our Cheshire canal ring
walk. After various alarms
on the journey to the station, we all made the 9.58 train…..just……. We alighted at Kidsgrove; steps from the car park took us down on to the Trent & Mersey towpath and onto Hardings Wood Junction, where it was a left turn towards Macclesfield.
on the journey to the station, we all made the 9.58 train…..just……. We alighted at Kidsgrove; steps from the car park took us down on to the Trent & Mersey towpath and onto Hardings Wood Junction, where it was a left turn towards Macclesfield.
We lunched at the excellent Queens Head at Congleton,
surreptitiously munching our sarnies whilst sitting on their patio. We
met up with a couple of lads who were doing
the same route as us but who were camping out ‘wild’ in Macclesfield (now there’s a thought…). The scenery through the countryside towards Macc was wonderful on a
pleasant afternoon, in particular on the flight of locks at Bosley.
the same route as us but who were camping out ‘wild’ in Macclesfield (now there’s a thought…). The scenery through the countryside towards Macc was wonderful on a
pleasant afternoon, in particular on the flight of locks at Bosley.
We had a refreshment break at the Fools Nook alongside the Macc-
Leek road, most welcome as the pub had been shut on my previous visit.
We came off the canal
at The Old Kings Head at Macc and proceeded by way of The Railway View to Wetherspoons for victuals, including the sorry story of a roast chicken dinner covered
in some most unwanted barbecue sauce.
at The Old Kings Head at Macc and proceeded by way of The Railway View to Wetherspoons for victuals, including the sorry story of a roast chicken dinner covered
in some most unwanted barbecue sauce.
At a somewhat late hour, we finally made our way back on the train
to Stockport, where we literally bumped into Digger on his way back from
a Grand Designs
exhibition at the NEC.
exhibition at the NEC.
Our next leg is planned to cover Macc to Hyde by way of Marple and
we will try to organize this so that it doesn’t clash with any other
SWOG event…..
John H
Saturday, 4 September 2010
04th: Buxton to Hazel Grove pub trail
04th: Buxton to Hazel Grove pub trail
Five
of us met up on the 12.00 pm train to Buxton : Emily, Philomena, Pete,
Simone and myself. We started the afternoon in ‘The Railway’, where we
took advantage of the good value meals; Simone’s sizzling steak was
particularly impressive. We then stopped at ‘The Miltons Head’ on the
way back to the station; and, after a scramble up the hill, we made it
just in time for our train.
Our
first stop was Whaley Bridge, where we called at the ‘Shepherds Arms’,
thanks to Pete & Helen for the recommendation; it was an excellent
choice.
Next
stop was all of two minutes away on the train at Furness Vale, ‘The
Crossings’. Here we met up with John and Dave who had cycled down to
meet us. There was some debate as to whether they would come with us on
the train or cycle to the next stop at New Mills. In the end we went on
the train, although the next planned pub, ‘The Beehive’ was shut (even
although it had been open on the reccie). Pete took us
to ‘The Rock’ instead and we never did see John & Dave, sorry boys.
We
then travelled on to Disley and met up with Glenys, Campbell and Joanne
at ‘The Rams Head’. Our final train leg took us back to Hazel Grove and
a tasty curry at ‘The Blue Nile’. There were various further pub stops
after this as evening merged into night and night into morning……
John H
Saturday, 21 August 2010
21st: Cheshire Ring part 1
21st: Cheshire Ring part 1
On Saturday four intrepid explorers met up at Stockport station to venture out into the salt plains and marshes of Cheshire. Well actually it was John, Linda,Sue and Tracy setting out on a walk along the Trent & Mersey Canal.We alighted at Lostock Gralam and it was all of about an hour before our first refreshment stop : scones with jam and cream kindly provided by Tracy. This was in a delightfully sylvan setting between Northwich and Middlewich.
We made it to Middlewich before our first pub stop : the delightful ‘Big Lock’. This was accompanied by the first of several light showers which gave Lindaand Sue the chance to show off their snazzy umbrellas.
It was an entertaining day with plenty of action on the canal, with lots of boats coming and going with the many locks on this section; and everyone very friendly.
We had a further stop at Sandbach at ‘The
Commercial’, a wonderful old fashioned type of an establishment, before
moving on via ‘The Broughton Arms’ (very busy) and
finishing up at ‘The Red Bull’ in Kidsgrove. We had a tasty meal but had
to jog back along the canal, just in time to catch our train. It was a
full and enjoyable day and we’re already planning the next stage :
Kidsgrove to Macclesfield.
John H
Saturday, 14 August 2010
14th: Anderton Boat Lift
14th: Anderton Boat Lift
Twelve of us set out to explore the wonders of the Anderton Boat
Lift. This is a massive structure built in 1875 to lift boats from the
River Weaver to the Trent and Mersey canal, a height of 50 feet. We were
very surprised to learn that the lift was built by a Stockport
engineering company. We boarded a boat on the River Weaver and were soon
whisked up (very slowly) to the canal above us. After the boat ride we
split into two parties to undertake walks. My thanks to Vince for
leading a gentle ramble round Marbury Country Park. Ice creams and tea
were taken at the half way mark. For the more seasoned ramblers, we went
a walk all of six miles! This took in Budworth Mere and Great Budworth
Village, where a refreshment stop was made at the local pub. After this
we walked past the Lion Salt Works Museum before returning along the
canal. We all met up again at the Visitors Centre before returning home.
Saturday, 24 July 2010
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